NEWPORT Gwent Dragons pair Hal Luscombe and Steve Jones are shock inclusions in the Welsh team to face Tri Nations champions South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

They join teammate Michael Owen in the side, Owen playing at lock rather than number eight, while three other Dragons - half backs Gareth Cooper and Ceri Sweeney and young lock Luke Charteris - are among the replacements, Cooper passing a fitness test on his knee injury.

The team was predicted in yesterday's Argus, as was the selection of Newport-born Ryan Jones at number eight as Wales' newest cap.

The choice of Luscombe and Jones - one of a record six Joneses in the Welsh team - is a shock as only days ago neither was really in the frame.

Hooker Jones, for example, was elevated to the Wales squad only last Friday after initially being part of the training squad only.

He expressed his surprise at his call-up during the Dragons visit to Edinburgh at the weekend little realising he would leapfrog straight into the actual team.

His only previous appearance for Wales was as a replacement against Japan in 2001 when he was with Neath.

But with Robin McBryde ruled out and Barry Williams retired from international rugby Jones has been preferred to Mefin Davies while the disastrous form of Cardiff Blues ruled out Gareth Williams and other Blues players.

Jones impressed Wales coach Mike Ruddock when he was with the Dragons last season and he has been in fine form again this year, former Newport and South Africa coach Ian McIntosh praising himon a recent flying visit.

Luscombe could hardly have expected to be involved a short time ago for he damaged a shoulder playing against Glasgow on September 24 and it was feared he would be out for six weeks.

But he made a quicker than expected recovery and scored a try for the Dragons in their victory over Edinburgh on Sunday.

He is slightly out of position on the right wing, preferring outside centre and has mainly played there or left wing for the Dragons.

But he is delighted at his call-up against the country where he was born and brought up, Ruddock is a known admirer and he will inject plenty of pace and enthusiasm.

Ryan Jones and Luscombe are 23, four years younger than Steve Jones.

Only on Monday former Newport player Ryan Jones was unaware he would be in the team, but his form for Neath-Swansea Ospreys has catapulted him in as Wales' latest cap.

It is one of eight changes, one positional, as Ruddock typically goes for size and the best set piece game he can in a bid to thwart the Springboks.

"It will be a huge test for us but one we will relish. They were far too good for us in Pretoria and went on to have a magniificent season," he said.

"We struggled for possession last time and to have any chance we must improve that area of our game. They have the opportrunity of a Grand Slam tour, but it's up to us to spoil the party."